The Appian Way in Rome

Discover the Appian Way (Via Appia Antica), one of the oldest roads of the Roman Empire. Ancient basalt stones, tombs and ruins reveal a unique landscape just beyond the historic center of Rome.

The Appian Way: The Queen of Roman Roads

The Appian Way was one of the most important roads of the Roman Empire. Built in 312 BC by the Roman censor Appius Claudius Caecus, it connected Rome with southern Italy and eventually reached the port of Brindisi.

Constructed with large basalt paving stones, the road was designed for durability and efficiency. Its carefully engineered structure allowed Roman legions, merchants and travellers to move quickly across the empire.

For centuries, the Appian Way served as a vital artery for military campaigns, trade and communication, helping Rome expand and maintain control over vast territories.

Beyond its strategic role, the Appian Way also became a monumental landscape. Wealthy Roman families built tombs, mausoleums and villas along the road, turning the surrounding countryside into an open-air gallery of Roman architecture.

Today, large sections of the ancient road survive within the Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica, where visitors can still walk on the original stones laid more than two thousand years ago.

Walking here offers a rare chance to experience both the history of the Roman Empire and the quiet beauty of the countryside just outside the city of Rome.

Why visit the Appian Way in Rome?

The Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) is one of the most fascinating historical landscapes in Rome. Built in 312 BC, it became the main road connecting the city with southern Italy and one of the most strategic routes of the Roman Empire.

Today, large sections of the ancient road are preserved within the Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica, where visitors can still walk on the original basalt stones laid more than two thousand years ago.

Walking along this historic route reveals a remarkable combination of ancient infrastructure, tombs, ruins and countryside that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.

Beyond its historical importance, the Appian Way offers one of the most peaceful landscapes in Rome. Tall Roman pines, open fields and archaeological remains create a unique atmosphere just a short distance from the city center.

Far from the crowds of the historic center, visitors can explore this extraordinary landscape at a slower pace while discovering one of the most iconic roads of the ancient world.

Today, the Appian Way remains one of the best places in Rome to experience the history of the Roman Empire while enjoying the quiet beauty of the Roman countryside.